The Artist

I saw this film on 30 January at Hackney Picture House

Pleasant and well put together but I am not sure what all the fuss is about. I enjoyed it being in black and white. The dog is a decent performer as well as a life saver. I was not expecting the happy ending and the use of sound at that point really drove the point effectively whereas the previous use struck me as over-done. I’d have appreciated just a few more sub-titles.

Coriolanus

I saw this film on 26 January at Notting Hill Gate Picture House

J Edgar

I saw this film on 23 January at Stratford Picture House

DiCaprio plays Hoover well and Judi dench is very good as his mother. But I found the scene by scene switching of time periods confusing - perhaps that was the point - although Clint Eastwood does not usually seek to confuse his audience. Amazing depiction of the lives of the three main characters who loved and were loyal to each other throughout their lives but had no physical sexual relationships.

Shame

I saw this film on 16 January at Stratford Picture House

Excellent film that would probably have bitten Camerson's dust as a non-blockbuster

Travelling Light

I saw this performance on 13th January at the National Theatre Lyttelton.

How a movie-struck youngster in Russia became a famous Hollywood film maker. Movie producers it seems were the same in Easterm Europe in Silent days as they were in Hollywood later. Excellent use of silent film and a superb stage set.

The Iron Lady

I saw this film on 9 January at Hackney Picture House

Noises Off

I saw this performance on 9th January at the The Old Vic.

A very silly and extremely funny performance and, as my companion said, an excellent way of spending a Monday evening.